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Physical Review A

Coherent-population-trapping maser: Noise spectrum and frequency stability

Aldo Godone, Filippo Levi, Salvatore Micalizio, Claudio Eligio Calosso

Published Jul 30, 2004• 34 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We examine in this paper the spectral characteristics of a coherent population trapping (CPT) maser in order to evaluate the frequency stability achievable by this kind of passive frequency standard. The peculiar features of the coherent microwave emission associated with the coherent population trapping phenomenon are theoretically examined taking into account the impact of the various noise contributions on the physical principle of operation. The theoretical predictions are then compared with the experimental results obtained with a laboratory prototype of $^{87}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}$ CPT maser. The measured frequency stability is mainly limited in the short term by the system thermal noise and in the medium term by the thermal drift and turns out to be in agreement with the computations within a factor of 2.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.70.012508

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We examine in this paper the spectral characteristics of a coherent population trapping (CPT) maser in order to evaluate the frequency stability achievable by this kind of passive frequency standard. The peculiar features of the coherent microwave emission associated with the coherent population trapping phenomenon are theoretically examined taking into account the impact of the various noise contributions on the physical principle of operation. The theoretical predictions are then compared with the experimental results obtained with a laboratory prototype of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}87Rb CPT maser. The measured frequency stability is mainly limited in the short term by the system thermal noise and in the medium term by the thermal drift and turns out to be in agreement with the computations within a factor of 2.
The paper gives an overview of our present theoretical understanding of coherent population trapping in alkali metal atoms as used in the implementation of an atomic frequency standard. Two approaches are examined: The passive approach in which the microwave hyperfine resonance is detected directly on the transmitted radiation and the maser approach in which the same resonance is observed by means of stimulated emission in a microwave cavity. The theoretical analysis reviewed is supported by experimental results.
The coherent microwave emission from an optically thick atomic ensemble in a cavity under coherent population trapping is analyzed. Transient and continuous operations are theoretically examined within the frame of a closed three-level system in the Dicke regime. The effects related to the atomic density and to the propagation in the active medium are examined with particular reference to the subnatural linewidth, the low group velocity and the shifts of the maser emission profile from the unperturbed atomic transition. The case of alkali-metal atoms submitted to a \ensuremath{\Lambda} excitation scheme is addressed in view of applications in the atomic frequency standard field. Experimental observations in agreement with the theoretical predictions are reported for the case of rubidium in a buffer gas. Apparent superluminal propagation is also reported and briefly discussed.
The use of coherent population trapping (CPT) for the realization of a Cs coherent microwave emitter without population inversion is described. Preliminary experimental results are reported regarding the radio frequency spectrum of the emitted microwave radiation, the emission profile width, and the transient behavior of the output power. This new approach, based on the coherence properties of the laser radiation, allows the implementation of a microwave frequency standard where the linear light shift is absent and the thermal noise limit for the frequency instability is below 10(-12) for an integration time of 1 s.
The paper describes the practical realization and characteristics of a small, totally autonomous, passive frequency standard based on the coherent population trapping (CPT) phenomenon. A description of the frequency standard, including physical characteristics, block diagrams of the optical control CPT resonance system and of the digital control electronics is given. The characteristics of the frequency standard relative to general functionality and frequency stability are given, as measured on several units.